He’s run two 160 km races with a sprained ankle. He’s set time records from Mexico to Greece. This year, he ran the Appalachian Trail – a 3522 km journey in 46 days, 8 hours & 7 minutes to set a record. Scott Jurek, nicknamed El Venado (the deer), is a legendary ultra marathoner. He speaks to Tanuj lakhina about his 21-year career
When did your love affair with ultra marathon startIJ
I used to hate running but ran to stay in shape in high school for basketball, baseball & cross country skiing. In college, my friend Dusty ran his first 80 km race and told me try it too. I did. I realised I liked running on trails better than on roads. I ran my first 80 km race a month before my first marathon! It’s now been 21 years.
Your first thought after 80 kmIJ
When I finished I said to myself, ‘Never again!’ But later you forget about the pain and go for it again.
Why ultra marathonsIJ
I think it’s multiple things. It’s about challenging my human potential – how far and how fast. Just having this ability to go beyond my body and my mind. The winning ego can help but you have to enjoy the process. The sport doesn’t have much or any money. Just focus on the win.
What’s betterIJ Training alone or in a groupIJ
Having other runners to run means fun and variety but I find myself training alone more. When you have other people, they push you a little more. I run a lot with my dog and it’s a Siberian Husky so he runs 70km with me.
What goes into a preparation for an ultra marathonIJ
If I have an ultra marathon of 160 km coming in June, I start preparing in January. Sometimes I run a marathon during this period and some 80km races a few months before. The training runs are not more than 50-60km. During this period, you don’t just prepare the running but test the nutrition and the endurance levels too.
Better to train at the race locationIJ
I try to get into the place really quick because in an ultra marathon it is important to get into the rhythm and the flow and the pace and maintain that.
What is your normal training day likeIJ
When I’m in peak training, I do tempo runs (5-10km) and back-to-back long runs over the weekends. But I also do easy runs such as an hour of running, some yoga and strength training.
How do you sleep and eatIJ
I try to get 7-8 hours of sleep. I spend time cooking. Sleep is important but there are times you don’t get that during a race. For eg, during the Appalachian Trail, I was running on two hours of sleep and sometimes with zero hours.
How do you overcome mental fatigueIJ
That’s the challenge and it holds true even after 21 years of ultra marathons. I get better at it but it’s still a challenge to bring the physical & mental aspects together. You can overcome that by keeping small goals — one lap, one km and one target to stay motivated.
On Appalachian Trail, what was your motivation despite fatigue and injuryIJ
The biggest thing is the desire to finish. The other is the record which is your goal. If I didn’t have the record to focus on, I would have slept more on the trail. It’s important to have goals that are out of your comfort zone — no matter what the sport.
What’s your biggest motivationIJ
Getting through the tough times. During the Appalachian Trail, I was sure I could not do that but when getting through it, it gives me that feeling of doing something impossible. It’s a strong feeling – you can’t buy that.
Which is your favourite raceIJ
For trails, the Hardrock Hundred in San Juan mountains of Colorado. It has 10,000 m of elevation and then 10,000 m down. So it’s a really special race. Then for the road, it has to be the Spartathalon in Greece for its history and the people. You can feel the Olympic spirit.
You’ve run with a sprained ankle and in one race you collapsed...
The first thing you think is that you can’t finish but after the initial emotion, you try to solve the problem. You think about moving forward and getting started again. Basically just take one step at a time - focusing on the next 5 km and breaking it into small pieces.
Which was your most difficult raceIJ
It’s not a race but Appalachian Trail is tough. 46 days of running, 80 km a day. It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.
You’ve been vegan since 1999. WhyIJ
Initially, it was to improve my health given my family history. But then I realised it could help my career too. It helps in faster recovery, longevity and consistency. You still get the same food components into your system but without meat.
Why can’t this be part of OlympicsIJ
The IOA is open to it. But it’s not a very spectator friendly sport so that’s the issue. A few obstacles or interesting courses will make it more dramatic.
What is an ideal strategy for running a half marathon or a marathonIJ
The best would be to run evenly throughout the race or slightly faster during the second half. But most people run the first half faster and reduce a bit in the second. It depends on the terrain too.